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I-TEAM: Buffalo Fire Department looking to purchase rescue boat

Posted at 9:06 AM, Oct 11, 2018
and last updated 2018-10-11 09:06:59-04

The 7 Eyewitness News I-Team has learned the Buffalo Fire Department, is trying to get more than a million dollars to buy more equipment.

Part of the money would be spent on a fire rescue boat.

The request is being made as part of this year's capital budget.

This boat would be different from the Edward M. Cotter, in that it has rescue and firefighting capabilities.

The rescue part is very important, considering there have been three deaths in the Niagara River in the past year.  Two people drowned this past summer.  Buffalo Police Lt. Craig Lehner died during a routine training exercise last October.  

His sister, Donna Wilson, is still looking for some closure.

"Was this something that could have been prevented, because, to see someone else go through what we've had to go through... we'll do anything we can to make sure it doesn't," Wilson said.

There is no timeline for approval on the money for a fire boat.  This is still yet to be approved by the Common Council.

 

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